Take the Kidney Stone Quiz

Kidney stones are one of the most common problems of the urinary tract—and one of the most painful disorders. How much do you know about kidney stones? Try your hand at this quiz, based on information from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.

1. Most kidney stones pass through a person's urinary tract without any medical intervention.

You didn't answer this question.

You answered

The correct answer is

If the crystals that form the stones remain tiny enough, they can pass through without even being noticed.

A. TrueB. False

2. Anyone can develop kidney stones.

You didn't answer this question.

You answered

The correct answer is

More men tend to develop stones than women, but the number of women who get kidney stones has been increasing. Whites are more prone to kidney stones than are African Americans, Hispanics, and Asians. The prevalence of kidney stones rises dramatically as men enter their 40s and continues to rise into their 70s. For women, the prevalence of kidney stones peaks in their 50s. Kidney stones also tend to run in families. Once a person gets more than one stone, he or she is more likely to develop others.

A. TrueB. False

3. A kidney stone forms from chemicals that the body is trying to get rid of.

You didn't answer this question.

You answered

The correct answer is

The most common type of stone contains calcium plus either oxalate or phosphate. These chemicals are part of a person's normal diet and make up important parts of the body, such as bones and muscles.

A. TrueB. False

4. A urinary tract infection can put you at risk for developing kidney stones.

You didn't answer this question.

You answered

The correct answer is

Kidney disorders such as malformations or blockages, and metabolic disorders such as hyperparathyroidism are also linked to stone formation. Genes also play a role. Also, more than 7 in 10 people with a rare hereditary disease called renal tubular acidosis develop kidney stones.

A. TrueB. False

5. The pain from a kidney stone comes on gradually, growing more and more intense.

You didn't answer this question.

You answered

The correct answer is

The pain often begins suddenly, when a stone moves in the urinary tract, causing irritation or blockage. Typically, a person feels a sharp, cramping pain the back and side in the area of the kidney or in the lower abdomen. Sometimes nausea and vomiting occur with this pain. Later, the pain may spread to the groin. Change of position doesn't improve the pain.

A. TrueB. False

6. Most kidney stones large enough to cause pain must be removed surgically.

You didn't answer this question.

You answered

The correct answer is

Fortunately, most stones can be treated without surgery. Most kidney stones can pass through the urinary system with plenty of water (2 to 3 quarts a day) to help move the stone along. In most cases, you can stay home during this process, taking pain medicine as needed. Your healthcare provider will probably ask you to save the passed stone(s) for testing. Other minimally invasive methods are available to treat stones. Surgery is only rarely needed.

A. TrueB. False

7. Drinking plenty of water can help prevent the recurrence of kidney stones.

You didn't answer this question.

You answered

The correct answer is

If you have stones that develop again and again, you should try to drink enough liquids—water is best—throughout the day to make at least 2 quarts of urine in every 24-hour period.

A. TrueB. False

8. Some kidney stones can be removed by using shockwaves.

You didn't answer this question.

You answered

The correct answer is

Extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL) is the most often used surgical procedure to treat kidney stones. ESWL uses shockwaves that are created outside of the body to travel through the skin and body tissues until the waves hit the dense stones. The stones become sand-like and are easily passed through the urinary tract in the urine.